Top 10 Most Critically Endangered Animals in the planet

Many animals are increasingly becoming endangered or even extinct as a consequence of human activities which produce pollution, decrease ecosystem, minimize wildlife corridors, contaminate their habitat, cut down food resources and from poaching and unauthorized hunting. Losing crucial species could result in whole food chains are damaged, resulting in certain species to over-breed whilst others die off. Help endangered animals survive by protecting their habitats permanently in national parks, nature reserves as well as wilderness areas. There they will be able to live without excessive disturbance from humans.


Top 10 Most Critically Endangered Animals in the world
Source worldwildlife.org


10. Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus)
Population: 2400-2800

By Vincent Poulissen

Elephas maximus sumatranus is one among three accepted subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to the Indonesia island of Sumatra. In 2012, the Sumatran elephant was changed from “Endangered” to “Critically Endangered” mainly because of fifty percent of its population has been lost in one generation—a drop which is predominantly resulting from habitat reduction and as a result of human-elephant conflict. Sumatran Elephant skin color is lighter compared to African elephant as well as others Asian elephant with minimum depigmentation.


9. Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis)
Population: 1000-1800

Image courtesy of iucn.org

The Yangtze River, was previously one of the only two rivers throughout the world that was the habitat for two distinct species of dolphin—the Yangtze finless porpoise along with the Baiji dolphin. Nevertheless, in 2006 the Baiji dolphin was confirmed functionally extinct. This became the very first time in history that an entirely species of dolphin had been wiped off from our planet due to human activity. Its close cousin, the Yangtze finless porpoise, is well known for its mischievous smile and also has a predetermined level of intelligence comparable to that of a gorilla. The finless porpoise is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).


8. Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Population: 880

By Dave Proffer

Mountain gorillas are living in forests high in the mountains top, at elevations of 8,000 to 13,000 feet. They possess thicker fur, and more of it, when compared to other great apes. The fur helps them to stay alive in an environment where temperature ranges often decline below freezing. Gorilla beringei beringei is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. There are two populations. The first is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the other is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As of November 2012, the predicted whole number of mountain gorillas is around 880.


7. Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
Population: less than 400

By Richard Ashurst

Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is a rare tiger subspecies that inhabits the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It was classified as critically endangered by IUCN in 2008. Today, this last Indonesia’s tigers—now less than 400—are holding on for existence in the remaining patches of forests and mountains on the island of Sumatra. Accelerating deforestation as well as rampant poaching lead to this noble animal could possibly end up similar to its already extinct Javan and Balinese relatives.


6. Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli)
Population: 200-300

By Корзун Андрей (Kor!An)

Cross River gorilla is rather similar in appearance to the more numerous western lowland gorilla, but subtle dissimilarities are found in the skull and tooth sizes. Cross River gorillas live in a region heavily populated by many humans who have encroached upon the gorilla’s territory—clearing forests for timber as well as to create fields for agriculture and livestock. Gorilla gorilla diehli is limited to the forested hills and mountains of the Cameroon-Nigeria border section at the headwaters of the Cross River. Despite the fact that the whole western gorillas are Critically Endangered, the Cross River gorilla is the most endangered of the African gorillas.


5. Vaquita (Phocoena sinus)
Population: less than 200

PD

The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is a rare species of smallest porpoise in this planet. It is endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California. Approximations of the number of individuals exist range between 100 to 300. Considering the fact that the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) is considered to have gone extinct in 2006, the vaquita has taken on the position of the most endangered cetacean in this world. Vaquita are under threat from the fishing industry, they frequently die after getting caugh in gillnets.


4. Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
Population: 100

By FunkMonk

Dicerorhinus sumatrensis are the smallest of the existing rhinoceroses, nevertheless the only Asian rhino with two horns. Sumatran rhinos compete with the Javan rhino for the unenviable position of most threatened rhino species. Whilst surviving in larger numbers compared to the Javan rhino, Sumatran rhinos tend to be more threatened by poaching. There is not any sign that the population is stable, not to mention only just two captive females have reproduced within the last 15 years. Sumatran rhinoceroses were once quite numerous across Southeast Asia. Just under 100 individuals are nowadays estimated to remain.


3. Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus)
Population: 35

Baby Rhinoceros sondaicus - Image courtesy of  WWF Indonesia

Also known as Sunda rhinoceros or lesser one-horned rhinoceros, or more popular as Javan rhinoceros, Rhinoceros sondaicus is the most threatened rhino species. Only adult males possess horns and the females lack them altogether. Javan rhino has a dusky grey color and also has a single horn of up to about 10 inches. Their skin features a number of loose folds showing the characteristic of body armor plating. These days the only surviving population as few as 35 animals live in the area on the western tip of Java in Ujung Kulon National Park. The population in Ujung Kulon National Park represents the only hope for the survival of a species that has been on the brink of extinction. Until the late 19th century and early 20th century, Javan rhinos existed from northeast India and the Sunderbans, across mainland Southeast Asia, as well as on the island of Sumatra. If we lose the population in Java, the entire species will go away completely.


2. Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)
Population: 30

By Tony Hisgett

Panthera pardus orientalis is a leopard subspecies native to the Primorye area of southeastern Russia and Jilin Province of northeast China, which is labeled as Critically Endangered since 1996 by IUCN. Amur leopards diverent from several other subspecies by a thicker coat of spot covered fur. They display the greatest and most consistent variation in pattern, their coat is rather smooth with longer and dense hair.


1. South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis)
Believed to be extinct in the wild

By J. Patrick Fischer

Native to the provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi in southern China, The South China tiger has been categorized as critically endangered by IUCN since 1996. Panthera tigris amoyensis is believed by researchers to be “functionally extinct,” since it has not been sighted in the wild for over 25 years as well as there is a very small possibilities that some individuals remain extant. These days, South China tigers are found in zoos also in South Africa where there are projects to reintroduce captive-bred tigers back into the wild.



Another critically endangered animals:

Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis)
Population: 4848

By Zacke82

Diceros bicornis is a species of rhinoceros, native to eastern and central Africa. Even though the rhinoceros is named black, its colors vary from brown to gray. At present, black rhinos keep on being labelled as Critically Endangered as a consequence of increasing demand for rhino horn, that has pushed poaching to record levels. A current increase in poaching in South Africa threatens to eliminate conservation progress. The increase is influenced by a growing market demand from certain Asian consumers, especially in Vietnam, for folk natural remedies which contains rhino horn. A total of 335 rhinos were slaughtered in South Africa in 2010 – close to one each day.


Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)
Population: 7300

By cuatrok77

The Sumatran orangutan is one of the two species of orangutans discovered in this planet. Found merely on the island of Sumatra, in Indonesia, Pongo abelii is rarer compared with the Bornean orangutan. Different from the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), the Sumatran orangutan is a lot more frugivorous and specifically insectivorous. The newest estimation for Pongo abelii is approximately 7,300 are now living in the wild and has been assessed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2000. Sumatran orangutan is considered one of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates."


Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Population: unknown

By Greg Hume

The western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is one of two subspecies of the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) that exists in montane, primary, and secondary forests and lowland swamps in central Africa. Western lowland gorillas could be recognized from other gorilla subspecies by their slightly smaller in size, brown-grey coating and auburn chests. They also possess broader skulls with more obvious brow ridges and smaller ears. Unsustainable logging behaviors, commercial hunting, and oil and gas production threaten the western lowland gorilla across its range.


Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Population: unknown

By Malcolm Browne

Hawksbills are seen mostly across the world's warm ocean waters, mainly in coral reefs.They are an integral link in marine ecosystems and help maintain the healthiness of coral reefs as well as sea grass beds. Eretmochelys imbricata is a critically endangered sea turtle and the only extant species in the genus Eretmochelys. Consensus has concluded sea turtles, including E. imbricata to be, at the very least, endangered species by reason of their slow growing and maturity, as well as slow reproductive percentages. A large number of adult turtles have already been slaughtered by humans, both on purpose and by mistake. The Agreement on International Trade in Endangered Species outlaws the catch and trade of hawksbill sea turtles and products derived from them.


Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Population: unknown

By U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region

Leatherback turtles are named for their shell, which is leather-like instead of hard, like other turtles. They are the largest sea turtle species additionally one of the most migratory, passing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Pacific Dermochelys coriacea migrate from nesting beaches in the Coral Triangle towards the California coast to feed on the abundant jellyfish every summer and fall. Latest estimations of worldwide nesting populations are that 26,000 to 43,000 females nest every year, which is actually a huge drop from the 115,000 estimated in 1980. These kind of declining numbers have stimulated attempts to rehabilitate the species, which at present is seriously endangered.


Saola  (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis)
Population: unknown

Image courtesy of  worldwildlife.org

The Saola, or Asian unicorn, is one of the world's rarest mammals. They inhabits the Annamite Range's damp forests and the eastern Indochina dry and monsoon forests. Pseudoryx nghetinhensis have been noticed in steep river valleys at approximately 300 to 1800 m above sea level. The exact size of the remaining population is unknown. Its rarity, uniqueness and vulnerability make it one of the greatest priorities for conservation in the region.